At Family Veterinary Inc, we’ve seen firsthand how stress can take a serious toll on a pet's overall health. It's important to be aware of how stress affects animals and to be able to recognize the signs of stress in your pet. With this knowledge, you can take proactive steps to reduce or eliminate the causes of stress in your pet's life. Let’s look at some of the signs and symptoms of stress in animals, as well as what you can do about it.
Signs and Symptoms of Stress in Animals
Stress manifests itself differently in different animals. However, there are some common signs that indicate when an animal is under a lot of stress. Some common physical signs include excessive panting, trembling, excessive grooming or licking, changes in appetite or water intake, diarrhea or constipation, changes in sleep patterns, changes in behavior (such as aggression or anxiety), hiding or avoiding people or other animals, and extreme fatigue.
In addition to these physical signs, there are also some behavioral indicators that suggest your pet may be feeling stressed out. These include increased vocalization (barking/meowing), destruction of items around the house, going outside their litter box/toilet area for elimination purposes, extreme clinginess/separation anxiety (following you everywhere you go), changes in play behavior (not wanting to play when they usually do), inappropriate responses to stimuli (not reacting when called by name or being startled easily) and fearfulness/timidity around people and other animals.
Health Impact of Stress on Animals
It's important to recognize these signs because chronic stress can have an adverse effect on your pet's overall health. Prolonged periods of high-stress levels can lead to behavioral problems such as aggression and separation anxiety; digestive issues such as diarrhea; skin problems such as hair loss; weakened immune systems; urinary tract infections; heart disease; diabetes; kidney disease; and even cancer if left unchecked for long enough. In short—stress is not something that should be taken lightly!
Conclusion
If you think that your pet might be experiencing undue levels of stress due to any number of factors—including but not limited to a new home environment, a change in routine, a recent move or the introduction of new pets into the household—it’s important that you take action right away by consulting with your veterinarian who can help identify any underlying medical issues causing the stress symptoms. Early detection is key when it comes to managing stressful situations for our animal friends. Contact us today so we can schedule an exam for your pet!